Can girls be beautiful if

1a1a

they don't shave their leg and underarm hair?

(I am one of these girls so keep the cries of disgust to a dull roar please). I ask because I'm feeling much happier about my body since I've slimmed down a bit and I'd love to do something goofy/fun/sexy like burlesque but in all honesty, could I show my body on stage if I don't shave (and I probably won't shave, it's the last frontier. We're allowed to be fat now, why can't we leave hair where it grows?!!!!!!)

GregS

yes they can!

KJVBear33

They can because beauty is whats on the inside

FYI: That isn't to say the latter either.........beauty is on the inside and out...........I say this because if you have outer-beauty and an ugly personality........guess which one shows? But if you have true beauty...........it shines inside and out!

fteale

This is one of those things I am really conflicted about. I WISH I didn't feel the need to remove my underarm and leg hair. I wish I could feel feminine, but I find underarm hair makes me smell, despite washing thoroughly (which is it's purpose, after all!), and I used to only shave the lower half of my legs but after some really cruel comments from passers by (and I have thin blonde hair, so it's not that obvious), I started waxing them. I just don't have the confidence in my appearance to deliberately go against the norm. In a way I can't see the point. If you can do something simple to make yourself more attractive, why not do it? But my feminist head says why one Earth SHOULD we? Men don't.

delilah47

they don't shave their leg and underarm hair?

(I am one of these girls so keep the cries of disgust to a dull roar please). I ask because I'm feeling much happier about my body since I've slimmed down a bit and I'd love to do something goofy/fun/sexy like burlesque but in all honesty, could I show my body on stage if I don't shave (and I probably won't shave, it's the last frontier. We're allowed to be fat now, why can't we leave hair where it grows?!!!!!!)

Move to France.

PBmaria

Absolutely no judging on my part. Curious, though, why don't you?

1a1a

I did dabble as a teenager (even my arm hair haha, I didn't realise that has immunity) but stopped cos the regrowth itches, that's my why anyway.

I thoroughly agree with the inner beauty thing, just wonder if it can shine through in the context of a show (not that I really want to perform but if I was to become a student of something like burlesque, there would probably be some sort of performance somewhere along the line, I just like to think the audience wouldn't be sitting there cringing when they realise).

UpEarly

Sure... until fairly recently, western culture didn't have nearly the obsession with removing every bit of body hair that we currently do. For example, check out Sophia Loren. She has always been considered a great beauty, in Italy and around the world. Look her up! She sported armpit hair in all her glamorous photos:



And more recently, Julia Roberts

summertime_girl

I find it very unattractive. Even on men, I like very little body hair. Men should keep things nicely trimmed, and women should be clean-shaven, for my preferences.

I realize it isn't all about me, though. So if you find it preferable to have hair, go for it. It's just not what I find attractive.

Whaleluvr

Sorry, I'm against the odds on this post...............I actually never thought of the subject before...........but when I saw the picture above, I have to admit, it grossed me out!!!! Now that I see Julia Roberts, it's nasty!!!

MmmDrop

Sorry, I'm against the odds on this post...............I actually never thought of the subject before...........but when I saw the picture above, I have to admit, it grossed me out!!!! Now that I see Julia Roberts, it's nasty!!!

Same. But whatever floats your boat. Personally, I feel more feminine when my skin is soft and super smooth. I couldn't handle having lengthy hair in my pits/legs.

ElizabethRoad

Hair doesn't bother me but there's no denying that a lot of people will be grossed out by it. Especially on stage. If you're OK with that, go for it.

I did dabble as a teenager (even my arm hair haha, I didn't realise that has immunity) but stopped cos the regrowth itches, that's my why anyway.

If your whole reason for not shaving is the itchiness, have you tried Nair?

AR73

Of course they can!

moonsforeyes

Yes! When exactly did society decide that women need to shave their body hair? I'd like to know!

1a1a

Lol, yeah, tried nair.

I'd like to know that too, musta been a recent thing seeing as we've only been seeing womens' unclothed arms and legs for a few decades.

Aw Julia, what a champ :-D

Darkskinned88

Beautiful yes....sexy no, im sure some dudes are into that but nothing sexy about a hairy woman #deathtonaturale

MissVCI

I don't shave my legs ( I don't need to, they aren't that hairy and most people don't believe me when I say I don't because they are still so soft and smooth)

But I do shave my pits because I personally can't stand the look of hair under there.

but to each its and own and more power to you if you can feel sexy and beautiful with not shaving legs or pit.

and don't care about whether or not a guy finds it beautiful. You'll eventually find a guy who either does or doesn't care.

1a1a

(That's very true, there are awesome guys out there who see past a little hair :-) ) The question specifically relates to performing in public though.

Just remembered I have a funny story to share. I'd actually forgotten that girls aren't supposed to have hair, out of high school, hanging out with hippies, doing my thing, then one day...

I'm a sound tech by trade and one night I'd finished up working a gig in a pub and was propped up on the bar by my elbows waiting to get paid. It was a hot day so I was in a singlet and and bit sweaty after a night of working. Suddenly I feel something under my arm, I spin around, there's a group of guys sat in a circle, one of them is gesturing towards my underarms going "what's that" (Like he'd never seen underarm hair). A conversation ensues "underarm hair" "are you a guy?" "no, women can grow that you know". That was about the extent of it actually. In hindsight, the little bugger must have actually reached out and pulled my underarm hair. What a cheek! Anyway, that was when I remembered it's taboo.

fteale

Yes! When exactly did society decide that women need to shave their body hair? I'd like to know!

Well....the ancient Egyptians and Greeks used to remove all their body hair, so I'd say it's been going on for quite some time.

fteale

I find armpit hair unattractive on men too. Chest hair, fine, but underarm hair just looks like it smells, no matter who it's on.

HauteP1nk

A lot more men are beginning to groom themselves. The media portrays a lot of muscle built men with hair free chests and backs...

Not to mention, athletes have been doing it forever too...especially swimmers and cyclists.


I personally find leg and armpit hair very unattractive, and I definitely prefer my legs being smooth.

Each to their own though. Beauty is in the eye of the beholder and all that jazz.........

i_love_vinegar

Do what you want. While conventionally body hair is not seen as attractive on a woman:

a. if someone doesn't want to be your friend because you have body hair, you probably wouldn't want them as a friend anyway.

b. as far as finding a romantic partner, you only really need one. Not only would I expect that you would find a more genuine partner this way, but there are billions of people on this planet. I highly doubt everyone has the same preference.

I wouldn't worry about it. Not everything is black or white.

Hannova

This is bordering on the TMI Thread, but what the hey.

I shave, because I personally prefer the feel of smooth pits. But as dark as my hair is, I have five o'clock shadow permanently, so I still feel self conscious about my armpits in public.

And that is annoying. Nothing to do about it though.

Escarda

I think that it shouldnt be expected of woman to shave..
But i just find the thought of clumpy hair under my arms feels and looks disgusting..
I think its kind of like make-up, you dont have to wear it to be beautiful, but it normally helps...
(well in my case anyway lol..)

cramernh

Personally speaking:
I cant function unless I have shaved it all off. I start getting stubble-trouble and I make a b-line for the bathroom and get my razor at-the-ready.

To each his own, but if you are a woman who wants to have the hair.. please please please PLEASE, shower regularly, use plenty of deoderant.....

britexmom

i dont care for hairy legs/pits for myself and my hubby doesnt like it either, i think that the majority of the public are in this camp too and unless you are performing to only a select group (crunchy, organic types) i dont think that the audience would find it attractive.

NYCDutchess

Personally, I think body hair on women is not attractive. And on men, should be mimimal.

_snw_

I'm not going to start trying to figure out why and when it started as a social norm, but personally, less hair == better.

Have you tried waxing? I pretty much wax everything - pits/legs/and complete brazilians. (now looking into perm removal)

lcchrt

Confession: In the winter, I DONT shave. At all. lol I shaved for the first time yesterday in about six months and I went through two razors and about an hour and a half. Personally, I love the way my legs/armpits feel when shaven but it is so much freaking work! lol

It all depends on what you are comfortable with. If you feel beautiful, you are!

paigemarie93

Sure... until fairly recently, western culture didn't have nearly the obsession with removing every bit of body hair that we currently do. For example, check out Sophia Loren. She has always been considered a great beauty, in Italy and around the world. Look her up! She sported armpit hair in all her glamorous photos:

When I was scrolling down, I thought, oh what a beautiful picture, then I saw the armpit hair & it's takes away some of the beauty of the shot. I'm not against not shaving, I don't shave my legs unless I'm going to be wearing a skirt, or the hair gets too long & sometimes forget to shave my underarms for a week, but not everyone likes it, so if you don't want negative comments & disgusted looks, I PERSONALLY wouldn't flaunt it. I don't mind hair on men, just not chest or back hair.
*Look, I said personally, so no haters ;]!

PokerChris

Since the original question is regarding performing, I must say that I believe the majority of a crowd watching a burlesque show will be put off by a hairy female dancer.